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Senate to investigate coal seam gas sector

Australia's coal seam gas industry will be investigated by a Senate committee after Glenn Lazarus won upper house support for an inquiry.

Santos staff at the Tinsfield coal seam gas pilot well
An independent senator wants the major parties to stop ignoring the impact of coal seam gas mining. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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A Senate committee will investigate regulations in Australia's coal seam and shale gas mining sectors.

Independent senator Glenn Lazarus on Thursday won support for the inquiry, which will look at the health, social, agricultural and environmental impacts of unconventional gas mining.

Senator Lazarus argues the coalition and Labor are ignoring the impacts of CSG and shale gas mining on rural communities because they receive donations from mining companies.

"At least when we table the report, they'll have to take notice of what's in there and hopefully they act upon the findings," he told reporters in Canberra.

Nationals senator Matthew Canavan hit back at the claim about donations, referring to Senator Lazarus' previous association with the political party led by mining magnate Clive Palmer.

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"Excuse me for some skepticism," he said.

"It seems quite hypocritical that you criticise some parties for taking donations from certain mining companies but then be elected almost primarily from money donated by that same industry."

Senator Canavan said the CSG issue was more a matter for the states.

Senator Lazarus will chair the inquiry which will report in June next year.


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